If passed by the House, the bill would also permit nativity scenes, menorahs and secular symbols to be displayed inside public schools during the winter holiday season.

The bill’s authors said it addresses their constituents’ complaints and clarifies existing law.

“The Supreme Court has ruled that (the) nativity scene is not a religious scene, it’s a Christmas scene, so it’s not considered religious scene by the U.S. Supreme Court,” said Republican Rep. Bob Cleveland.

But the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma said the bill could pose a serious dilemma for schools. “Our big concern about the 'Merry Christmas Bill' is not what it does, but what it doesn’t do,” said ACLU legal director Brady Henderson.

Henderson warned that the bill could result in lawsuits against the schools. “One of our biggest concerns about the bill is in fact that school districts will engage in behavior that violates the Constitution and then find out that this bill provides them no legal protection in court,” he said.

Henderson said while the legislature is the body that passes the bill, any lawsuits would affect teachers, school districts and taxpayers.

The bill will soon move to the House floor for a full debate and vote.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS" .. "HAPPY HANUKKAH".. "HAPPY HOLIDAYS". STATE LAWMAKERS WANT TO OKAY THE GREETINGS IN SCHOOLS. BUT THAT MAY BREAK FEDERAL LAW. KOCO'S ERIELLE RESHEF IS LIVE AT THE CAPITOL... ERIELLE? PAUL AND JESS, THE AUTHORS OF THE "MERRY CHRISTMAS" BILL SAY IT UPHOLDS THE SUPREME COURT'S POSITION ON THE CELEBRATION OF WINTER HOLIDAYS NATIVITY SCENES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IF THE "MERRY CHRISTMAS" BILL PASSES, THAT'S WHAT YOU COULD SEE NEXT WINTER 17:17 The Merry Christmas Bill is a simple billit allows for folks - the kids, teachers and parents in schools to say Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays 17:42 It also allows for a display of nativity scenes, a menorah and even a secular display THE BILL'S AUTHORS SAY IT CLARIFIES EXISTING LAW 23:46 Nativity scenes by the Supreme Court has ruled that Nativity Scene is not a religious scene, it's a Christmas scene, so it's not considered religious scene by the US Supreme Court 58:48 Our big concern about the Merry Christmas bill is not what it does, but what it doesn't do THE ACLU WARNS THE BILL COULD PUT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND TEACHERS IN A TOUGH POSITION 59:03 One of our biggest concerns about the bill is in fact that school districts will engage in behavior that violates the constitution and then find out that this bill provides them no legal protection in court LIVE: HENDERSON SAYS IF THE BILL IS PASSED... AND A LAWSUIT IS FILED... SCHOOL DISTRICTS, TEACHERS AND TAXPAYERS COUILD HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL. LIVE AT THE CAPITOL, ERIELLE RESHEF, KOCO 5 NEWS. THE BILL PASSED A COMMITTEE. IT NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR A DEBATE AND VOTE. SOME SNOW FELL OVERNIGHT IN